ISLAMABAD - At a time when around 10 to 100 per cent tariff increases is on the cards, two gas utilities have sought increase in tariff to complete parliamentarians schemes which are seemingly contrary to the prescribed laws, reliably learnt. The increase in gas tariff indication might be challenged soon after its approval, as strong lobbies (in order to save their skins) who are in the favour of this expected move are contemplating to find out some other ways which fall under the ambit of law. Sui Southern Gas Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited have sought increase in gas tariff up to Rs22.48 per million British thermal unit (mmbtu) to generate Rs14.6 billion to finance parliamentarians schemes, sources said on Thursday. They were of the view that though the gas utilities had pleaded that they would have to stop work on the schemes, which were in the pipeline in case no tariff increase was approved, yet rules say that gas utilities cannot launch new schemes if they have failed to provide gas to existing consumers of the country. Gas utilities have sought a separate increase of up to Rs22.48 per mmbtu to generate Rs14.6 billion in revenues solely to finance parliamentarians gas schemes, which are contrary to the laws, sources told, adding, that increase in gas tariff to complete the schemes was in violation of rules as both had ostensibly failed to provide gas to existing consumers of the country. In its decisions related to revenue requirements of the two gas distributors, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had linked initiating work on new schemes with fresh discoveries of gas, sources added. It is testimony of the fact that at present, 90 per cent gas schemes are in the pipeline under the directives of Prime Minister. In the last meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, parliamentarians from different political parties had criticized Ogra for stopping work on their schemes. Upon this strong criticism, the Petroleum Ministry succumbed to the pressure and had also written a letter to Ogra to allow work on those schemes, which are being started under the Prime Ministers directive. If Ogra permits gas companies to continue work on new schemes, it will be in violation of rules related to licensees (SNGPL and SSGCL) and inflation-hit consumers will have to face an additional burden, sources said, adding that gas utilities have already high Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG) levels - gas theft and leakages - and any extension in pipelines will lead to increase in UFG, which will ultimately lead to economic distortion of the country. SSGC in its review petition has sought a gas tariff increase of Rs2.35 per mmbtu to generate Rs930 million while SNGPL has demanded a tariff hike of Rs22.48 per mmbtu to generate Rs13.65 billion, sources said, adding, the gas utilities had pleaded that they would have to stop work on the schemes, which were in the pipeline in case no tariff increase was approved. Economic pundits while talking to TheNation shared that for the first time in history, the country is experiencing prolonged gas outages in the summer season, when normally the demand comes down. Further, in the face of acute shortages, an expansion of the transmission and distribution network will ultimately reduce gas supply to all consumers and will also lead to economic distortion of the country.